| This series of analysis on the 32 NFL teams takes a look at where teams have been over the last three years for each position - where they have ranked in the most notable categories and the hard statistics produced. This is to give a view of each team heading into training camp and what they most likely need to improve on this season and where their strengths lie that likely won't need any changes. Ending each team review is a brief summation of what to watch in training camp in August to uncover those developing situations that you can take advantage. Combining where teams have come from and what they have done in free agency and the NFL draft gives you the very same thing that NFL coaches are looking at as they attempt to improve their team for 2009. |
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Training Camp Opens: July 27 (Rookie), July 30 (Veteran)
Head Coach: Rex Ryan (1st year)
Stadium: Giants Stadium Surface: FieldTurf
2009 Schedule 2009 Roster 2008 Statistics 2008 Record: 9-7
| QB |
Carries |
Rush YD |
Rush TD |
Pass |
Comp |
Comp % |
Pass YD |
YPP |
Pass TD |
Int |
Rank YD |
Rank TD |
| 2006 |
37 |
119 |
0 |
485 |
313 |
65% |
3352 |
10.7 |
17 |
16 |
19 |
23 |
| 2007 |
47 |
143 |
2 |
510 |
309 |
61% |
3294 |
10.7 |
15 |
19 |
25 |
26 |
| 2008 |
24 |
40 |
1 |
527 |
346 |
66% |
3498 |
10.1 |
22 |
23 |
16 |
10 |
Quarterback - Free of the Brett Favre circus, the Jets will turn to either backup Kellen Clemens or rookie Mark Sanchez. Rex Ryan was up close and personal last year when a team rode a rookie quarterback, a powerful running game, and an aggressive defense to the AFC Championship game so he wouldn’t hesitate to hand the reins to Sanchez. This battle will play itself out during training camp, but you have to believe a $50 million contract tilts the scales at least a little bit in Sanchez’s favor.
| RB |
Carries |
Rush YD |
YPC |
Rush TD |
Target |
Rcv |
Catch % |
Catch YD |
Rcv TD |
Rank YD |
Rank TY |
Rank TD |
| 2006 |
426 |
1448 |
3.4 |
15 |
75 |
55 |
73% |
422 |
0 |
25 |
27 |
7 |
| 2007 |
381 |
1472 |
3.9 |
4 |
86 |
64 |
74% |
430 |
1 |
24 |
29 |
32 |
| 2008 |
381 |
1833 |
4.8 |
19 |
112 |
86 |
77% |
571 |
4 |
8 |
11 |
5 |
Running Backs - Between Thomas Jones and Leon Washington, the Jets produced a top-10 ground game last year. Now both backs want new contracts—so as insurance, and because Jones is on the wrong side of 30 for a running back, the Jets traded up to draft Shonn Greene. Much of the ground game’s success is due to the offensive line, so whomever Gang Green lines up is bound to put up decent numbers. It sounds as if Washington is close to a new deal, while the Jets have little interest in reworking Jones’ contract. Since Greene is more of a Jones type than a Washington type, Ryan would likely be willing to move forward with a Greene/Washington tandem. This particular training camp battle may play out more in the business office than on the field.
| WR |
Target |
Rcv |
Catch % |
Catch YD |
YPR |
Rcv TD |
Ranks YD |
Rank TD |
| 2006 |
358 |
221 |
62% |
2579 |
11.7 |
13 |
10 |
16 |
| 2007 |
341 |
195 |
57% |
2423 |
12.4 |
10 |
16 |
23 |
| 2008 |
293 |
186 |
63% |
2164 |
11.6 |
15 |
16 |
12 |
Wide Receivers - Laveranues Coles is gone, leaving Jerricho Cotchery as the Jets’ No. 1 receiver. David Clowney and Chansi Stuckey will compete for the other starting gig, and Brad Smith is bound to find some playing time as a receiver or in Wildcat formations. Even with fewer question marks at both quarterback and wideout the Jets have been largely mediocre when it comes to fantasy production at the position. While Clowney or Stuckey could emerge as a sleeper candidate, if the comparison for this team is Baltimore then you’re talking about Mark Clayton or Demetrius Williams numbers—neither of which is very compelling.
| TE |
Target |
Rcv |
Catch % |
Catch YD |
YPR |
Rcv TD |
Ranks YD |
Rank TD |
| 2006 |
55 |
37 |
67% |
344 |
9.3 |
4 |
27 |
22 |
| 2007 |
76 |
50 |
66% |
480 |
9.6 |
4 |
26 |
26 |
| 2008 |
120 |
75 |
63% |
776 |
10.3 |
3 |
14 |
18 |
Tight Ends -
Dustin Keller has flashed the downfield ability that made him a first-round pick last season. Moreover, young and/or inexperienced quarterbacks—which is what the Jets will field this season—love to rely on their tight ends as easy checkdowns and safety valves. Keller isn’t a blocker, so he’ll either need to improve in that facet or make the most of his time in the slot to be a fantasy helper. The other options on the Jets roster—headlined by Richard Owens, who was out of football last season—aren’t even registering on the fantasy radar.
Training Camp Fantasy Angle - Ryan hasn’t backed down from anyone in the AFC East, and he was on board when a team with a very similar makeup played for the conference title last year. With Ryan’s pedigree and offseason moves like Bart Scott’s signing, the defense will get most of the attention. But the offense can’t be ignored. Ryan will need to settle on a quarterback, but more importantly the Jets will need to figure out their backfield situation—who’s signed, who’s holding out, and who’s ready to play some football.
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